The Fantastic Rhinos

Bonjour tout le monde!! Today was my first day of classes! This morning started bright and early at 7:30 am. Andrea and I went to breakfast and got a croissant and an apple and some orange juice. The french eat a very light breakfast, which is a little odd to me. I miss my biscuits and gravy.

We met everyone for our first class of the day outside of the library and then followed Clarisse (she's like a TA kind of? a leader of the group but closer to our age than our main instructor) to our classrooms. We split off into our track classes. I am taking Management and Innovation and the other track is Smart Devices. Class was three hours long, but very interesting. It was really discussion based but the vibe of the classroom was very welcoming and everyone willingly participated, which I'm not used to in Pitt classes. At the end we had to pick groups for a final project, and come up with a name, a logo, and a walk up song. I won't spoil the details yet, but my group is star material. I think I am really going to enjoy that class.

Then we had a lunch break from 12-2, so we went to the "restaurant" which is basically a dining hall. The food is both better and worse than market, at the same time. You don't really have very many options, but the plates are full. I ate chicken nuggets (day 2 of nugs) and potatoes and bread and a chocolate pudding dessert. Something interesting about the restaurant is that the drinking cups are very small (like espresso cup sized) and there is a water filler station in the middle with pitchers to bring water to your entire table. We ate lunch and talked about what life was like in our home states and countries, and it was really interesting to hear about the similarities and differences. I think we are also planning a trip the the Mediterranean in a few weekends.

After lunch we still had some time, so a few of the girls and I headed to a Carrefour (very similar to a Target or Walmart) and picked up some things. It was interesting to see the selection of foods and all the french brands.

this is the only picture I took today to sent to my friend Pedro Schmitt because it is close to his name.

We headed back to campus to go to our intercultural class from 2-4. It was also very discussion based and we will be learning about the differences between all of our cultures as well as the french culture. I am enjoying these discussion based classes more than I thought I would. Our instructor does a very good job of being unbiased and asking us to observe and wonder about the things around us.

After class, we all met Clarisse and Pierre (Pierre is a grad student helper) for an activity outside. We made groups again, and had to come up with a team name and chant. My group chose the fantastic rhinos, and our chant was "Go rhinos go, go rhinos go, go rhinos go!" and it had a little bit of choreography with it. This was inspired by the statue of the INSA mascot that was across the path from us. Fun fact about that specific rhino, it is school tradition to paint it, and also to pee on it. We were told to NEVER touch the rhino. After sharing our chants and team names, we were tasked with another project due at the end of our trip. We were given a quote from a philosopher and we have to create something inspired by it and we will be presenting our project in front of a bunch of people. I am excited to see what all the groups will come up with.

After that exercise, I learned that my luggage had arrived and Clarisse was waiting for me with it. I didn't have to wait too long for it, but I was so thankful it came so I could have my clothes. I came back to the apartment to change and all my friends went back out to Vieux Lyon. I walked about 30 minutes to a phone store to activate a sim card, and the communication barrier got in my way and they told me they could not do what I was asking even though I know it is possible. Oh well. My dad found some articles I can show them and I will try again another day.

As I was walking back to campus, our instructor told us that a new girl arrived. Since everyone else was out, I went to dinner with her at the restaurant. She is from Scotland, and we talked about our college experiences and expectations for this trip. I ate pasta and bread, 10/10.

After dinner I went back to my apartment to unpack and call my parents. I was supposed to meet my friends at the bar on campus around 10:30, but ended up falling asleep. I'm sure I needed the sleep because the second I laid down I was out. I woke up around 11, feeling very homesick. I don't usually get homesick, in fact I think the last time was the Europe trip in high school. I think the exhaustion and bit of culture shock is just overwhelming, and with time and sleep it will pass. I called my mom which made everything better, and my dad sent me pictures of the dogs. After chilling out a bit I actually unpacked my suitcase. It was nice to feel like I was actually settled in.

Andrea came home shortly after and we debriefed about our nights. I'm very glad to have a roommate I feel comfortable with, that makes everything way better as well.

I am very tired but excited for a new day!

P.S. I couldn't get the picture to download, but I may update it if I can get it to send later :)

À plus tard,

Maggie

(written May 19)